Zookeeper
Oversee the care and feeding of animals in captivity for conservation and education.
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Jobs in SEEK right now
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5-year projection
Salary
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Typical salary
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Job opportunities
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Jobs in SEEK right now
Salary
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Typical salary
Job growth
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5-year projection
Job satisfaction
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What's it like to be a Zookeeper?
A Zookeeper is a person who cares for zoo animals that are kept in captivity for conservation, education and to be displayed to the public. They are responsible for the daily care and feeding of the animals, and the maintenance of their enclosures.
Tasks and duties
- Cleaning out and maintaining enclosures.
- Feeding animals and managing their dietary needs.
- Replenishing fresh water throughout the day.
- Training animals to respond to commands.
- Caring for sick, injured or unhappy animals.
- Providing Veterinarians with observations or reports.
- Presenting information to the public through animal shows, during school excursion tours or through answering questions from zoo visitors.
Zookeepers work to ensure captive animals are happy, healthy and thriving. They provide enrichment activities, train and condition the animals to accept human contact, take care of their nutrition and present information to the public. Zookeepers are observant, empathic, physically fit and, passionate about animals!
How to become a Zookeeper
Qualifications are not required for entry-level Zookeeper positions, but may be looked on favourably due to the high volume of applications zoos receive every year. If you intend to undertake study, you’ll require completion of year 10 for certificate courses, and year 12 or alternative entry requirements for a tertiary degree.
- Ensure you have the minimum physical fitness required to become a Zookeeper. You will be required to take a fitness test, which can include the beep test, push-ups, planks, grip strength and lower back strength, among other tests.
- Enrol in and complete a Certificate III in Wildlife and Exhibited Animal Care (ACM30321). Alternatively, complete a Bachelor of Zoology, a Bachelor of Science, or a Bachelor of Biodiversity and Conservation.
- Consider postgraduate entry by completing a bachelor degree of your choice, then going on to study a Master of Science or a Master of Science in Agriculture.
- If you’d like to get involved in a professional development group, consider joining the International Society of Zoological Sciences or a local group in your state.
Latest Zookeeper jobs on SEEK
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Skills and experience employers are looking for
Having the right skills and experience can make you an in-demand applicant. Zookeeper employers on SEEK are looking for job seekers with expertise in the following areas.
Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Profile data
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Latest Zookeeper reviews
May 2021
Reviewer's Qualification
Certificate III in Captive Animals
Experience
5 – 9 years
Organisation size
Medium (20-199 employees)
Specialisation
Mammals and birds
The good things
The job is very rewarding as you care for a variety of animals and some are endangered species. You get to educate the public about many species and hopefully they make a change to their everyday live...
The challenges
You do have to work in all types of weather and we start very early in the morning! Some customers are against zoos and animals in small areas so that is hard to hear when they don’t listen to why we ...
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Oct 2018
Reviewer's Qualification
Bachelor of Science
Experience
Less than a year
Organisation size
Medium (20-199 employees)
Specialisation
Wildlife Education
The good things
A wonderful stepping stone into the world of animal care or zookeeping. The ability to gain experience and be mentored by other keepers is invaluable. A very good way to get a feel for the realities o...
The challenges
Most of the keepers are so grateful of your help. But there are those that can act like you are in their way or talk down to you. Remember you are there to assist keepers and provide excellent animal ...
Read more
Source: SEEK role reviews
SEEK has not verified the truth or accuracy of these comments and does not adopt or endorse any of the comments posted on this page.SEEK collects and posts the comments for what they are worth and for information purposes only to assist candidates to find employment through seek.com.au
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